Watching Brazil in 2006

26Sep

INTERVIEWER
Deputy minister, what do you believe is behind this recent increase in terrorist bombings?

HELPMANN
Bad sportsmanship. A ruthless minority of people seems to have forgotten certain good old fashioned virtues. They just can’t stand seeing the other fellow win. If these people would just play the game, instead of standing on the touch line heckling –
INTERVIEWER
In fact, killing people –

HELPMANN
– In fact, killing people – they’d get a lot more out of life…

INTERVIEWER
Do you think that the government is winning the battle against terrorists?

HELPMANN
On yes. Our morale is much higher than theirs, we’re fielding all their strokes, running a lot of them out, and pretty consistently knocking them for six. I’d say they’re nearly out of the game.

The TECHNICIAN is tottering on one leg on the chair on the
desk as he strains to swat the BEETLE. Swish, swash, oops,
WHAP! Gottcha!!

INTERVIEWER
But the bombing campaign is now in its thirteenth year …

HELPMANN
Beginner’s luck.

I first saw this cult movie some time in the mid 1980s at the Valhalla Cinema in Glebe, and last night I saw it again over twenty years later. How has it stood up? Mixed. Sure, it is still a visual treat, and it doesn’t really matter that at times you don’t know what is going on. It is, however, becoming dated. On the other hand, it now seems more than a touch prophetic! But Blade Runner it isn’t, and I venture to say that Donnie Darko is better. Nonetheless, I do commend it.

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